2005 KIA RIO Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
I WAS DRIVING ON PUBLIC STREET LOSS CONTROL DUE TO A POT HOLE IN THE STREET THE CAR LOST CONTROL FLIPPING SLIDING THEN FLIP UP RIGHT TILL IT CAME TO A STOP ON APT WALL THEN WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER AND DONE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED GO OFF ON MY ARM RIGHT ARM GIVING ME SECOND TO THIRD DEGREE BURNS THE PURPOSE...
I WAS DRIVING ON PUBLIC STREET LOSS CONTROL DUE TO A POT HOLE IN THE STREET THE CAR LOST CONTROL FLIPPING SLIDING THEN FLIP UP RIGHT TILL IT CAME TO A STOP ON APT WALL THEN WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER AND DONE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED GO OFF ON MY ARM RIGHT ARM GIVING ME SECOND TO THIRD DEGREE BURNS THE PURPOSE...
I WAS DRIVING ON PUBLIC STREET LOSS CONTROL DUE TO A POT HOLE IN THE STREET THE CAR LOST CONTROL FLIPPING SLIDING THEN FLIP UP RIGHT TILL IT CAME TO A STOP ON APT WALL THEN WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER AND DONE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED GO OFF ON MY ARM RIGHT ARM GIVING ME SECOND TO THIRD DEGREE BURNS THE PURPOSE...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V244000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR D...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V244000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR D...
WHEN THE CAR IS EXPOSED TO MOISTURE, EITHER FROM UNDERNEATH BY DRIVING THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE OR FROM ABOVE IN A RAINSTORM, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GETS WET AND CAUSES THE SERPENTINE BELT TO SLIP. THIS RESULTS IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ALTERNATOR FAILURE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE CAR'S POWER ...
Mileage: 109,000
WHEN THE CAR IS EXPOSED TO MOISTURE, EITHER FROM UNDERNEATH BY DRIVING THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE OR FROM ABOVE IN A RAINSTORM, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GETS WET AND CAUSES THE SERPENTINE BELT TO SLIP. THIS RESULTS IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ALTERNATOR FAILURE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE CAR'S POWER ...
Mileage: 109,000
WHEN THE CAR IS EXPOSED TO MOISTURE, EITHER FROM UNDERNEATH BY DRIVING THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE OR FROM ABOVE IN A RAINSTORM, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GETS WET AND CAUSES THE SERPENTINE BELT TO SLIP. THIS RESULTS IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ALTERNATOR FAILURE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE CAR'S POWER ...
Mileage: 109,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BE...
Mileage: 65,125
THE BLOWER STOPPED BLOWING AIR. FOR A SHORT WHILE IT WOULD COME ON, RARE OCCASIONS AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING. CHANGED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR, STILL DIDN'T WORK. PULLED THE DASH APART TO CHANGE THE BLOWER SWITCH AND FOUND THAT IT HAD MELTED THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR. NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE...
NOT REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT MAYBE YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE. I CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME I'M AT LESS THAN 90% EFFICIENCY RELATIVE TO POLLUTION. WHEN THE MECHANIC CHECKS THE CO2 AND OTHER POLLUTION REQUIREMENTS I'M OK. I STILL GET GREAT MILEAGE AND GOOD POWER. THE PROBLEM IS THE COMPUTER S...
NOT REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT MAYBE YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE. I CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME I'M AT LESS THAN 90% EFFICIENCY RELATIVE TO POLLUTION. WHEN THE MECHANIC CHECKS THE CO2 AND OTHER POLLUTION REQUIREMENTS I'M OK. I STILL GET GREAT MILEAGE AND GOOD POWER. THE PROBLEM IS THE COMPUTER S...
KIA RIO 2005 IS A VERY POORLY BUILT CAR. THE PASSENGERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, A MECHANISM IN THE DOOR IS BROKEN. SINCE THE DOOR WON'T OPEN NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THE DOOR PANEL CAN NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE DOOR WITHOUT THE DOOR BEING OPEN. NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A KIA OF A...
I HAVE A 2005 KIA RIO (VIN PROVIDED LATER) PURCHASED 2006, LOW MILES. SUMMER 2011 CAR STALLED, STOPPED & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST SHOP, NTB. REPLACED TIMING BELT & NO DAMAGE TO MY MOTOR. I FOUND OUT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED CHANGING AT 60K MILES (MINE WAS LOWER). THE ME...
Mileage: 52,000
I HAVE A 2005 KIA RIO (VIN PROVIDED LATER) PURCHASED 2006, LOW MILES. SUMMER 2011 CAR STALLED, STOPPED & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST SHOP, NTB. REPLACED TIMING BELT & NO DAMAGE TO MY MOTOR. I FOUND OUT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED CHANGING AT 60K MILES (MINE WAS LOWER). THE ME...
Mileage: 52,000
THE PASSENGER DOOR WON'T OPEN. AND THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MANY KIA RIO OWNERS HAVE WITH THEIR CAR. CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK. IT IS BY FAR THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. *TR
Mileage: 50,000
THE ENGINE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ON HWY, WIFE WAS IN DANGER OF BEING HIT BY OTHER VEHICLES,NO POWER TO GET TO EDGE OF ROADWAY ON BRIDGE, HEAVY CONSTRUCTION, HAD TO CLIMB OUT PASSENGER DOOR, DOWN EMBANKMENT TO SAFETY. TOWED VEHICLE HOME TO FIND ENGINE LOCKED UP. MAINTENANCE DONE REGULAR BELTS, TIRES,OIL...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE COASTED INTO AN ALLEY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING WIRES. SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE HOOD ONCE THE VEHICLE W...
THE DRIVER SEAT BELT LATCH ASSEMBLY IS SPLIT IN TWO. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE EVENT, IT JUST HAPPENED ONE DAY. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR REPLACED, IT IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD TOGETHER WITH DUCT TAPE. *TR
Mileage: 98,000
GOING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE 4 IN ORLANDO FL MY 2005 KIA RIO BROKE THE TIMING BELT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL ENGINE POWER & ROLLED TO A STOP WE WERE ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE & BARELY AVOIDED GETTING REAR ENDED. *TR
Mileage: 75,000
KIA PLACED A BULLETIN WITH YOU ON 1/1/05,#TSB82,#10015272. APPARENTLY KIA THOUGHT THAT WAS ENOUGH. MY KIA WAS PURCHASED 7/21/05. I WAS TOLD I HAD "BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE IF I PURCHASED THE ADDITIONAL 4,000. EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY WERE REQUIRED TO FURNISH ME WITH A COMPLETE WARRANTY DISCLOS...
Mileage: 38,000
KIA PLACED A BULLETIN WITH YOU ON 1/1/05,#TSB82,#10015272. APPARENTLY KIA THOUGHT THAT WAS ENOUGH. MY KIA WAS PURCHASED 7/21/05. I WAS TOLD I HAD "BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE IF I PURCHASED THE ADDITIONAL 4,000. EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY WERE REQUIRED TO FURNISH ME WITH A COMPLETE WARRANTY DISCLOS...
Mileage: 38,000
2005 KIA RIO STALLING PROBLEM. I'VE HAD THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR 4-5 TIMES OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS, AND DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 68,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. IT WOULD RESUME NORMALLY AFTER SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR AT LEAS...
Mileage: 45,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. IT WOULD RESUME NORMALLY AFTER SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR AT LEAS...
Mileage: 45,000
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST IS RUN ON THE CAR, ERROR P0101 IS DETECTED. THIS ERROR, "MASS AIR FLOW CIRCUIT RANGE PERFORMANCE PROBLEM," CAN BE CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR IN THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, THIS ERROR HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN MY CAR, THE...
Mileage: 65,000
I HAD A 2005 KIA RIO BURN DOWN FROM AN APPARENT ELECTRICAL FIRE INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE DAY FROM WORK AND SMOKE STARTED TO SEEP THROUGH THE SEAL AROUND THE DASH. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED 911. WITHIN 5MIN MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE WHOLE DASHBOARD STARTED T...
Mileage: 84,000
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A HEAD ON COLLISION. *TR
Mileage: 85,000
OUR SON WAS DRIVING A 2005 KIA RIO 15 MILES SOUTH OF MCMINNVILLE, OR WHEN HE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND FLIPPED THE CAR. THE FEMALE PART OF THE SAFETY BELT CLASP FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN HIM BEING THROWN AROUND THE CAB. HE ENDED UP IN THE CAB ON THE ROOF IN THE BACK SEAT. HE IS STILL VERY SORE AND HAS...
Mileage: 40,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING AT LOWS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RANDOMLY HESITATE. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURRED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD OR IT HAS NOT RAINED WITHIN A FEW HOURS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE NORMALLY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE DEALER HAS MADE...
Mileage: 9,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING AT LOWS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RANDOMLY HESITATE. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURRED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD OR IT HAS NOT RAINED WITHIN A FEW HOURS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE NORMALLY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE DEALER HAS MADE...
Mileage: 9,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT PULLED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND, AFTER A SHORT TIME OF ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. SHE TOOK PRESSURE OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT NOTHING CHANGED. SHE ATTEMPTED ...
Mileage: 37,000
MY KIA RIO DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6000. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY SINCE IT ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE WA...
Mileage: 80,000
MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2005 KIA RIO HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT WHEN THE CAR STALLED. HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE ONE OF OUR COUNTY SHERIFFS TRIED TO GIVE HIM A JUMP. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. MY SON TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY HAD BEEN ...
Mileage: 54,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER BUTTON BECAME STUCK WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT OFF. AS THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE AND THEN FLAMES WERE PRESENT NEAR THE BUTTON AREA. THE PASSENGER SNATCHED...
Mileage: 94,000
THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAS A STEERING RACK PROBLEM. WHAT MAKES ME INTERESTED IN THIS PROBLEM WAS THE A RECALL OF OVER 350 VEHICLES IN CANADA FOR THE 2004 MODELS. THE DEALER , AURORA KIA OF FAIRBANKS, AS WELL AS THE KIA CONSUMER CARE, DID NOT SEEM TO WANT TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN WITH ME. ...
Mileage: 12,000
FAILURE OF VEHICLE REPAIR X 3 WEEKS. 3 DIFFERENT REPAIRS, STILL NOT FIXED. KIA REFUSES TO GIVE LOAN/RENTAL TO DRIVE WHILE PERFORMING WARRANTY WORK. CAR WILL NOT RUN, STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE ALMOST KILLING MY COLLEGE STUDENT X 3+.*JB
Mileage: 23,000
ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 A KIA RIO WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLL OVER WRECK THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ONE TEENAGER WHO WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE DURING THE ROLL OVER AND THERE WERE INJURIES TO OTHER PASSENGERS AS WELL. ON OCTOBER 19, 2005, AN INVESTIGATING OFFICER WENT TO THE PLACE WHERE THE VEHICLE H...
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN MAKING LOUD SCREECHING NOISES EVERY TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT 10MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIR WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE DISCS WERE SLIGHTLY OFF CENTER. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE NOISE CONTINUED. T...
AT ABOUT 5,000 MILES OR MAYBE EVEN SOONER I BEGAN TO DETECT AND HEAR SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED AND ACTED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION. EACH TIME TAKING VEHICLE FOR OIL CHANGE I TOLD THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION. IT JUMPED IN 2ND GEAR WHILE IN REVERSE. THEY FORGOT EACH TIME, AND DUE ...
Mileage: 10,000
AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE PRESENT. VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A 2005 BRAND NEW KIA RIO [XXX]. MYSELF & DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON DEC 3RD 2005, WE RAN OVER A TIRE TREAD ON THE HIGHWAY, PROCEEDED MAYBE 1/2 A MILE & THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS FROM OUT OF NOWH...
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THEN AGAIN AT A STOP SIGN WITH HER FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND THE GEAR SHIFTED INT NEUTRAL. THE PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS IN THE PARKING LOT. THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN. WHI...
Mileage: 3,400
DT: THE CALLER SAID THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. HEIT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATES FROM A STANDSTILL. NO LIGHTS COME ON TO LET HIM KNOW THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. VEHICLE DOES IT AFTER IT WARNS UP. HE SAID THE MORE HE DRIVES IT THE WORSE IT GETS. HTHE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN COMIN...
Mileage: 40
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO SENCO. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS THINKING ABOUT THE LEMON LAW. ON JULY 30, 2005 THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AT 65 MPH . THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, STEERING LOCKED, AND VEHICL...
BOUGHT NEW CAR CHILD SAFETY LOCKS FAILED. DRIVER DOOR JAMMED CLOSED COULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DEALER MADE ME DRIVE WITH THE PROBLEM FOR THREE WEEKS BEFORE THEY WOULD EVEN LOOK AT IT. THAN TOOK A WEEK AND A HALF TO FIX IT. *NM
Mileage: 10,306
CAR STALLING, 15 MPG SHOULD GET 35MPG, RPM AT 3.5 GOING 65 MPH TOO HIGH, NO POWER. PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SATUDAY JULY 16, 2005 AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE JULY 18, 2005. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 24 MILES WHEN PURCHASED BRAND NEW AT CHESROWN KIA IN COLUMBUS OHIO.. WASN'T INFORMED THAT THE CAR HAD ISSU...